by Elle Rease
The blonde smiled. “I came here directly from work.” She pushed her two kids into the house. “Guys, you remember Cin, right?”
They looked at Cinnia and nodded shyly.
“I got you guys some juice,” Cinnia told them, ruffling Connor’s hair and dropping to her knees to give Sophie a peck on the cheek. “Would you like some?”
“That’d be great,” Jemma answered for them. “I brought straws.” She rolled her eyes at Cinnia’s questioning glance. “The glamorous life of a mother! Half of the shit in my handbag belongs to them.”
Cinnia led them to the kitchen, where she poured them each a glass of juice. “You don’t look like you’re too put off by motherhood,” she commented, watching Jemma fuss over her children.
Jemma blushed slightly. “They’re the best things that ever happened to me.” She eyed Cinnia. “When are you getting knocked up?”
“Not anytime soon, if I can help it,” Cinnia chuckled nervously.
“Frankly, I’m surprised you aren’t already. Bren sure looks like he’s ready to pop the question.” Jemma looked around. “Where is he, anyway?”
“Setting the table.” Her heartbeat was accelerating, thanks to Jemma’s comment. She breathed deeply. “He’s on the patio. You guys can go make yourselves comfortable.”
“Thanks, Cin.”
Cinnia leaned against the counter, her mind whirling. What if Brennan wanted to get engaged? Would she be up for it? Sure, she’d slipped into this life as easily as getting into her worn-in leather pants, but did that really mean that she was ready for marriage?
Another knock on the door broke through those daunting questions. She cleared her throat and let Dawn and Haye in. “Welcome, guys,” she greeted.
Dawn frowned at her distracted tone. “Is everything okay?” she asked, pulling Cinnia into a hug.
“Yeah, I’m just hoping dinner will go well,” Cinnia lied. “Come on in. Haye, good to see you!”
He hugged her and smiled. “You say that like we haven’t seen each other in years.”
“I’m surprised I can still make you feel that way,” she teased, “considering that you’re always around.”
“Likewise,” he joked back.
“Let’s go see how Brennan’s doing with his housewife duties,” Cinnia said, heading towards the patio. “Oh, and I asked Jemma to join us.”
“Yeah, I saw her car in the driveway,” Dawn said.
They rounded the corner and Cinnia’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of Brennan, just like it always did. He’s done a decent job with the table and was busy chatting with Connor, who loved Brennan’s tattoos.
“Better renew your prescription for birth control,” Dawn whispered to Cinnia. “I know that look. That’s why I’m pregnant.”
Cinnia forced a laugh past her cold lips. “We’re not ready for that.”
“You never are, my friend.” Dawn patted her on the shoulder before going over to hug Jemma.
“I’m gonna… check on dinner,” Cinnia announced, seeking refuge in the kitchen. She rubbed her forehead and inhaled shakily. They couldn’t dump all of this on her right now. She was still enjoying being Brennan’s girlfriend. Wasn’t it enough that she was wearing his patch?
“Cin.”
She glanced up at Brennan. “Hey, why aren’t you—”
“What’s going on?” He stepped up to her, touching the side of her face. “You look terrified.”
“Everyone’s talking about me having a baby and it’s freaking me out.”
“I do want that for us one day,” Brennan murmured as he kissed her forehead. “But I want you to be ready for it, which is why I’m not pushing the subject.”
“So, if I had to find out I’m pregnant tomorrow, you’d be okay with it?”
“Yes.” He peered at her, those icy eyes burning hers. “What is it that puts you off from the idea?”
“I’m not put off…” She trailed off and shook her head. “This isn’t the time or place.”
“Cinnia, talk to me. We’ve got about five minutes before one of them will come looking for us. I want to know what’s going on in that twisted head of yours.”
She cracked a smile. “Thanks for that.” When he made an impatient gesture, she took a deep breath. “I want your kids, Bren, really I do. I just don’t want to start a family so soon. I know you’re older, so you’ve got that biological ticking clock, but I can’t right now. I want you to myself.”
“Greedy,” he teased. He tilted her chin up and sucked her bottom lip into his mouth. “I have to agree, though. We’ll consider having kids when we stop having sex so much.”
“‘When’?” She laughed at him. “Brennan, it’s more like ‘if’.”
He pressed his hips forward, anchoring her to the counter so she could feel his erection. “Another thing we agree on. So, will you stop worrying?”
“Yes,” she promised, dizzy.
“Good.” He stepped away, though she could sense his reluctance. “Anything I can help you carry to the patio?”
She coughed to clear her throat. She handed him a pair of oven mitts and took another pair for herself. “If you can get the chicken, I’ll carry the rest.”
“Sure thing, lass.”
She followed him outside, food in tow, and smiled at her guests. “Can I get you a glass of wine?”
Dawn sighed dramatically. “I’m the permanent designated driver, so yeah, I guess Haye can get smashed tonight.”
Her husband burst out laughing. “I’ll have a beer, though.”
“Ditto,” Jemma said.
Brennan lifted his beer with a grin. “I’m okay.”
Cinnia rolled her eyes. “Guess it’s just me and the bottle, then,” she muttered, making a round trip to the kitchen to get the drinks. She sat down next to Brennan. “Dig in, guys.”
“So, how’re things going at work?” Dawn asked Cinnia. “Are you finally getting ahead?”
Jemma nearly choked on her beer. “Oh, I’m sure Cin’s getting some sort of head.”
Cinnia glared at the nurse, just as Dawn said: “Sounds like there’s a story behind that.”
“She’s very obedient,” Brennan teased. Cinnia knew that he loved it when she blushed, as she was doing now, so she wasn’t surprised that he’s adding fuel to the fire. “Apart from a few glitches here and there—”
“Not work related,” Cinnia reminded him.
“—I think she’s the best person for the job.”
“Okay, y’all have to quit talking in riddles and fill us in,” Haye insisted curiously.
Dawn had caught on. “I doubt you want to hear about their sex life, babe.”
“Don’t be so sure.”
Cinnia felt like her face was on fire. “Seeing as no one else is helping themselves, I’ll dish for myself.” She gave the kids a meaningful look. “I’m pretty sure our conversation isn’t dinner-friendly.”
“Sadly, you’re right,” Jemma said wistfully. “And it’s too damn bad, since I’ve been waiting the whole day to hear the juicy details.”
“It’s really time for Nixon to get out of prison, ‘cause you’re way too sexually frustrated,” Brennan remarked.
“You’re babysitting for a week when that happens,” Jemma countered.
Cinnia gulped. “A week?”
“I’ve got eight months to catch up on. One week alone should be enough to start off with.”
“Wow, Jem,” Dawn giggled. “And I thought Cin was bad.”
“Hey, it takes two to tango,” Cinnia said defensively. “Brennan’s just as guilty as I am.”
“I give it another two months, then you’ll be sick of each other,” Haye chuckled.
Desperate to change the subject, Cinnia cleared her throat. “Are you two ready for the baby?”
“I think so,” Dawn replied, rubbing her stomach with a content smile. “I’m actually glad you mentioned it, ‘cause I want you to help with the baby shower.”
“Oh,” Cinnia said, stun
ned. “You haven’t had one already?”
“Bren made us put it on hold until you’re back and settled in,” Dawn explained.
“Jeez, you were really counting on me coming home,” Cinnia told Brennan.
He gave her an intense look. “I told you: leaving you behind wasn’t an option.”
Cinnia’s mouth went dry, and not because she was angry or afraid. She simply couldn’t comprehend how much this man loved her, although he kept showing it. What did she ever do to deserve him?
“Hoo boy, now I feel like we’re back in your bedroom,” Jemma giggled.
“So, will you help?” Dawn asked Cinnia.
“S-sure,” she stammered in response. “When do you want to have it?”
“Well, the due date’s five weeks away, so we’ll have to do it soon.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Cinnia vowed.
Jemma hummed under her breath while she chewed. “This is really good, Cin. You know how to cook.”
“Thanks.”
“Uhm, I guess now’s as good a time as any to ask for my own favor.”
Cinnia raised her eyebrows at Jemma. “What’s up?”
“Nixon is getting out on good behavior.” Jemma glanced at her children, who were too busy devouring their food to notice the serious conversation around the dinner table. “He’s scheduled to be released in three weeks. I want to throw him a huge party.”
“The club will cover the expenses, of course,” Brennan cut in. “Anything you need, Jem.”
She smiled. “Thanks, I appreciate that. Would you be up to it, Cin?”
“Okay, why’s everyone asking me to do these things? Isn’t this Mysie’s territory?” Cinnia queried.
“Now that Bren’s on the way to becoming the Prez, his old lady should be more active in the community,” Haye answered.
Brennan grinned, devils dancing in his eyes, which were trained on Cinnia. “I let you lay low for a few weeks, but you knew this was coming. I warned you, remember?”
She steadied her breathing. “I know. It just feels like it’s all happening at once.”
“That’s ‘cause we’ve been waiting for you to catch up. You have, so nothing’s holding us back anymore.”
“I get that.” She turned to Jemma. “I’d love to set up something special for Nixon. I’m guessing you’d like the week off thereafter?”
“My, you’re a smart one,” Jemma teased.
“I think I need to buy a diary so I can slot everything in.”
Dawn burst out laughing. “I’m pretty sure Brennan’s already got that sorted. He’s very thorough.”
The man in question gave her an innocent look. She wasn’t fooled. “So I’ve heard.”
For the rest of dinner, they chatted about everyday things, and Cinnia tried her best not to show how overwhelmed she was. Sure, she had been aware of the ramifications of wearing Brennan’s patch and being his old lady, yet it could never fully prepare her for what’s to come. She had no idea for how much longer Reade would be riding at the head of the club, but the reality of Brennan taking over was growing day by day, simply because he’s younger.
She saw her friends off after dinner, leaning into Brennan’s side while he had his arm wrapped around her shoulders. Dawn and Haye were so happy together, it was making Cinnia consider marriage, at the very least. Even witnessing how much Jemma loved her husband, who’d gone to jail for assault, was very inspiring. She would love to be Brennan’s wife.
“You okay?” Brennan asked as they walk back into the house.
“Yeah, I’m good,” she assured him. “You guys have just given me a lot to think about tonight.”
He locked up and followed her to the bedroom. “If you want, I can arrange for my mom to help you to learn your duties.”
“I’m pretty sure I can contact her myself,” she said dryly. “You don’t have to do everything, you know.”
Catching her wrist, he swung her around and pulled her into a steamy embrace, his hands roaming down to cup her ass. “But I’m so good at it.”
Her giggle was swallowed by his kiss, which promptly made her knees weak. She locked her hands around his neck, drawing him closer and thrusting her tongue past his lips. He responded hungrily, rubbing that piercing over her tongue in tantalizing circles. Her fingers wound around his long hair to keep his head where it was.
“I thought you wanted that massage,” he mumbled as he nibbled on her bottom lip.
“You always distract me,” she reminded him.
“I, for one, would like to give you a massage for taking your punishment so well today.” He pulled back slightly, a naughty grin on his face. “If you want to go to the bathroom, do it now. I’m going to keep you busy for a while.”
She sighed. “I’m not getting out of this, am I?”
“Nope.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back,” she said, heading for the en-suite.
“Oh, Cin?”
She glanced over her shoulder. “Yeah?”
“Don’t wear clothes when you come out.”
It took her a moment before she could move out from under his hypnotic gaze. “Noted.” She shut the door between them and leaned on it, closing her eyes. She was already way too turned on and, judging by the look on Brennan’s face, it was going to take a long time before she got any form of relief.
Didn’t that just make everything more exciting?
Cinnia kicked off her sandals and chucked her clothes in the basket. She splashed her face with water and brushed her teeth. She was in the bathroom for a while, so she wasn’t surprised when she saw that Brennan had already set up the room—complete with burning candles and incense—by the time she got out. He was standing on the opposite side of the bed, stark naked.
For the second time that night, her mouth went dry. The way the dim lighting was hitting his body made her womb contract. His muscles flexed with every move he made. Those stunning tattoos and his nipple piercings… There wasn’t enough time in her life to trace them with her tongue, especially because she would never tire of doing so.
Her gaze went lower, to the V that led to his impressively erect package. The stud in his tip glimmered in the candlelight. She wanted nothing more than to go on her knees and take him deep, to feel him clutch the back of her head while he thrust into her.
Apparently, though, she was the one being spoiled tonight.
“Ready?” he smirked, probably reading the desire on her face.
“Yes,” she replied hoarsely.
He pointed to the bed. “Stretch out on your stomach and get comfortable.”
She obeyed, though she hated this position: it made it very difficult to see him. She felt the bed shift under his weight and, a second later, the warmth of his thighs as he straddled her. “Aren’t you worried about the oil staining the sheets?” she whispered.
“I’m not afraid of anything, Cin.” She heard the sound of the bottle cap being removed and her skin tightened where the oil was squirted on. “Fuck, you have a great ass.”
A shiver went down her spine as he dipped his finger in the oil and lightly trailed it over her lower back. It was the softest of touches, making her hyper aware of how sensitive her skin was. No wonder people said it’s the body’s biggest sexual organ.
Brennan gathered more oil and outlined her sparrow tattoos, which began at her right hip and went up her backbone, ending between her shoulder blades. “This is nicely done,” he commented, adding a bit more pressure and letting his other fingers join in on the fun. “The other two scarred. Different artists?”
“Hmm,” she murmured, closing her eyes.
“Rest assured, you’ll be in good hands with me.”
“Hmm.”
He chuckled and spread his hands over her hips, rubbing slowly, gently. The oil warmed her skin while his caresses raised goose bumps. He massaged upwards, slipping his fingers down to reach the sides of her breasts while his thumbs loosened knots under her shoulder blades.
The
tip of his cock, hard but wet, bumped her ass whenever he shifted up to reach her neck. “I love touching you.”
“I can tell,” she slurred, relaxing more with each stroke on her back.
“When you were in high school and we were dating, I wanted you naked all the time. I felt like such a pervert.”
“That’s ‘cause you are.”
Laughing softly, he lifted his hands to squirt a generous helping of oil on her butt. “Oh yes,” he agreed. His thumbs worked firm circles over her rounded flesh, while his other fingers stroked delicately. “I want to do everything with you, Cin.”
Cinnia felt so turned on, liquid pooled between her thighs. Her hips undulated of their own accord, creating a bit of friction between the mattress and her crotch, not to mention the way his dick kept drifting over her ass. When his thumbs edged closer to her crack, she thought she was going to die. She moaned loudly and arched into his hands, silently begging for more.
“Have you been taken in the ass?”
She frowned, though he couldn’t see it. “No.”
“Do you want to be?”
Using one hand to spread her cheeks, he poured oil on her virgin hole. She tensed, not knowing what was going to happen next. He simply trailed a finger over her butt crack. Then his cock slipped between her legs, nudging her core and making her painfully aware of the throbbing in her clit. All the while, he lightly pressed a fingertip to her puckered, sexually unused cavern.
“Lass,” he urged, “do you want to be?”
“I don’t know.” She groaned at the sensation of the head of his cock nudging her drenched opening while his finger toyed with her ass. She gasped once his erection went in an inch at the same time his finger went to the first knuckle, but he retreated so quickly she didn’t feel pain. In fact, she felt robbed of something mind-blowing. “More.”
He repeated the motion, spearing her with his cock and finger, though not even going halfway with either appendage. “Do you want me to take you in the ass?” he queried gruffly.
Cinnia clutched the sheets and tried to rear back on her knees, but with him still straddling the back of her thighs, she couldn’t. “I don’t know,” she repeated.